Murder charges filed against teens accused of killing mom's boyfriend

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Bond was set at $150,000 on Wednesday for two Fort Bend County teenagers accused of murder.

Lavaris Harris, 19, Darlecia Johnson, 17, and a 16-year-old juvenile male are in custody in Fort Bend County. They are charged with killing Bennett White, 40, at their home in Panhandle Drive near Hollow Canyon in Mission Bend around noon Tuesday. White is their mother's boyfriend. She was on the scene and visibly distraught Tuesday afternoon.

The teenagers' three year old sister was also inside the house when the deadly shooting happened.

According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, neighbors called 911, assuming there was a home invasion going on. Turns out, it was a fight between the teens and White. It escalated.

"The motive just being that they're juveniles," said FBCSO Sgt. Dalia Simons. "They're disagreeing with an adult with the house who is cohabitating with the parents."

"I think it's crazy. They're new to the neighborhood. You know, seem fairly quiet, normal family," said Vanessa Little, shocked to come home to find the crime scene tape at her neighbor's house.

Little said the family moved in about a month ago. On Monday, she saw one of the boys mowing the yard. Other neighbors report seeing the teenagers try to hide as investigators arrived on the scene.

"They tried to go somewhere to hide and the mom said, 'No, don't go nowhere. Stay here,'" said neighbor Esdras Rodriguez.

Three days ago, Johnson posted on Facebook, "I hate my mom's boyfriend" along with several emojis.

Johnson and Harris requested court appointed attorneys today.